As this is the last Commission Communique for 2020, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all staff, principals, families and students for their dedication and perseverance across what has been a most extraordinary year. 

School communities have overcome the many challenges brought on by the pandemic with creativity, flexibility and resourcefulness. I have no doubt our school communities will continue to demonstrate their resilience and enterprise once again in 2021. 

It has also been marvellous to see the strengthening of bonds between families and staff, particularly during the learning from home period, where school communities worked so closely and positively together to ensure continuity of learning across a number of platforms.

Thank you again for your continued efforts throughout 2020 and I hope you all have a peace-filled and holy Christmas and a wonderful restorative and safe holiday break. 

We hope you enjoy our gallery of Catholic school students sharing the Christmas spirit. 

Tomorrow we will say a final farewell and pay tribute to our QCEC colleague and friend John Clarke when his funeral ceremony takes place in Brisbane.  

Those of us who knew and worked with John have been fortunate to share his love for learning, his passion for life and his acceptance and perseverance in the face of challenges.  

During his teaching career John touched the lives of hundreds of students and was an inspiration to them in their learning. 

While working at QCEC, John chaired the Student Wellbeing Network, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Network and the Faith, Formation and RE Network.

John has also represented Queensland Catholic education on the National Catholic Faith Formation and RE Standing Committee and on various federal and state government roundtables and advisory groups.

Our heartfelt condolences go to John’s family and we continue to pray for John and the Clarke family. 

Eternal rest grant unto John, O Lord, 
And let perpetual light shine upon him. 
May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, 
Through the mercy of God, rest in peace. 
Amen

John Clarke

Last week the Fair Work Commission formally approved the Enterprise Agreements for Diocesan and RI/PJP Schools.  The agreements come into force today (2 December 2020).

The Enterprise Bargaining process is always long and the challenges of ensuring the agreements serve the common good are many.

All involved have committed many hours to discussion, consultation and negotiation over the last two years.

My sincere thanks and congratulations to all those from diocesan offices, schools and the QCEC Secretariat who have brought the process to a successful conclusion.

The first cohort of Seniors to study under the new QCE system has now passed through our school gates for the final time.  It is not always easy being the ‘first’ but this group of students, who have been the first in many things, has been outstanding – responsive, responsible and willing to look for the positives as they navigated many changes.

It is a credit to Catholic schools and to schools and education leaders in all sectors that the significant structural and curriculum variations required by the new system have been integrated so successfully into schools.

Catholic schools have been involved in the process from the outset through a range of committees and taskforces and I thank all those who have played a part in the consultation and implementation phases of the new system.

While there will continue to be refinements, we can all be proud of the relatively smooth implementation of the new system in this most challenging of school years.

As we come to the close of the year, I would like to acknowledge retiring diocesan principals Kaye Beston, Madonna Davitt and Michael Colahan and thank them for their many years of service to Catholic education.

Kaye Beston – St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Bundaberg, Diocese of Rockhampton
Having started with Brisbane Catholic Education in 1973, Kaye commenced as Principal of St Joseph’s Bundaberg in 2006 concluding this year after 47 years with Catholic education. We sincerely thank Kaye for all that she has brought to Catholic education and wish her every blessing for the future.

Madonna Davitt – St Mary’s Catholic Primary School, Bundaberg, Diocese of Rockhampton
Madonna commenced with Catholic education -Diocese of Rockhampton in Mackay in 1979 transferring to Bundaberg in 1982 and holding numerous teaching positions prior to becoming Principal of St Joseph’s in 1992 and Principal of St Mary’s in 2006. We sincerely thank Madonna for her 41 years of dedicated service to teaching and learning and wish her all the best for retirement.

Michael Colahan – Marian Catholic School, Currajong, Diocese of Townsville
Currently Principal of Marian Catholic School, Currajong, Michael has been a long serving member of the Catholic education sector and has been principal of St Joseph's Catholic School, Mundingburra; St Colman's School, Home Hill; and, Holy Spirit School, Cranbrook. We wish Michael the very best for his retirement and thank him for his many years of service to the Catholic education community.

Holy Spirit College Fitzgibbon

Congratulations to Stephan le Roux who has been appointed Foundation Principal of Holy Spirit College, Fitzgibbon in the Archdiocese of Brisbane.

Stephan is currently the Principal of St Mary’s College, Maryborough and has significant leadership experience in the roles of acting Director of Learning and Teaching, Head of Learning and Teaching Middle School, and Head of Learning Religious Education, all at Thomas Carr College, Tarneit, Victoria.  Before this, Stephan held middle leadership roles in London schools.

We wish Stephan all the best in his new role and I look forward to Holy Spirit College opening in 2022.

Image: Stephan le Roux (source – St Mary’s College website)

I would like to welcome Shannon O’Gorman as the newest staff member of the QCEC Secretariat.

Shannon will commence her new role as Education Officer on 11 January.

Shannon is currently the Director of Counselling and Engagement at St James College, Fortitude Valley, and has a wealth of experience in child and student wellbeing.

Shannon is a member of the Queensland Mental Health Tribunal and has also worked in the area of disability and supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

Image: Shannon O’Gorman

Missed a Circular? Below is a list of Circulars that have been issued recently. Use your login to access them.

2020 Circulars

115     Mental Health Report by Productivity Commission
116     Queensland Human Rights Commission and the Anti Discrimination Act
117     NCEC Christmas Family Prayer